worried about child

[Zach Sutton]

Hello,

I am new to this forum. I actually joined because I have a question to ask.
I am afraid it is a rather sensitive subject.

My youngest child (of two children) is a large person for his age. our family are very sensitive to has frame and make an effort to make him feel like a normal boy. his weight does seem to be increasing lately and I have been noticing some frankly shocking changes in his character.
he draws constantly. he is very good.
my wife and I are thrilled that he has a hobby by at times we wish it was something that required more movement than his hand alone.

he is quite a talented artist for his age. my question to ask.. lately he has been drawing one subject matter. he says he wants to design the ultimate animal. from what I have read on some other website regarding child development this is actually very normal for a child of his age.
My dilemma is the reason for designing this "beast".

HE says that he wants to create a creature that will be the ultimate food source for the future. I am going to attach his latest creation.

it has 10 chicken wings, a tomato for a head, pork ribs, a rump steak back, chips for feet and a tomato for a head. one of the most chilling features is that he has apparently tagged the animal using an onion ring. it is turning into quite an obsession.
he is drawing for 3-4 hours a day. one of his images actually was wet to the touch when he showed it to me. For a second I thought he had perspired while drawing. (our family have a tendency to overheat when exerting.
unfortunately no such luck. after questioning him on the subject he admitted that the image had made him salivate on the page.

I really am at my wits end. please can someone suggest something to help me.

thank you for your time.

-Zach Sutton

[nhockaday]

How old is he? I think you should talk to a professional about your concerns.

[mother of faith]

I have seen this before during my teaching years. How old is he? Has he played any video games or watched a video, or cartoon with this sort of content? Has anyone been talking to him about a food shortage in the future? Does he communicate with anyone via web?

[sb1201]

I find the best way to get my kids moving is to move with them. We got a trampoline for christmas and it is really fun and a great work out. But they are more inclined if I go out there and jump with them. Same with outside games. My daughter is also enrolled in dance and my boys were doing karate. They recently stopped this in search of something else though 

These are just some quick suggestions for getting your boy moving some more. I'm not sure about your other concerns, but I would bring them up with your pediatrician if you are concerned.

Good Luck

[Kappasweet]

Wow, that sounds like quite a situation.  I am not sure about childhood obsessions, but as a parent I know that you can insist that a child participate in a physical activity or sport.  He will not like it at first, but keep trying new things until something sparks his interest.  Drawing is an ok activity to do a lot, but he needs 30 minutes, at least, of physical activity every day.  I would also mention to a pediatrician to make sure that all behaviors he is exhibiting are normal.  He might just be a quirky kid, but doesn't have any abnormal problems.

[luckylucy]

Well, you say he has a big frame. Is he overweight for his height?  If he was salivating over his drawing and is fantasizing about what the ultimate food source could be then he could have a metabolic or thyroid problem and not be able to satiate his desire for calories.   And these drawings may not be disturbing as you think.  It may be that he is just completely distracted by thoughts of food because of his metabolic need for it (or something like that).  In other words, it could be his physical body that is pushing his thoughts in this direction not so much a disturbed mind. 

Talking to your pediatrician is must but I would also have your child see a specialist (physician and psychiatrist).  You must get to the core of this and nip it in the bud and don't let any pediatrician blow your concerns off as they sometimes do.  I heard your story and definitely sounds like your child needs specialized help (not that it will turn out to be a big deal, this may just be a childhood phase but you need to hear it from someone who has seen this before and is a specialist).    And you probably already know this, but you must do all your own research and be your own advocate.  It's a must if you want to get to the bottom of this.

Please keep us updated. I wish you and your family the very best of luck.  I'm sure it will all be fine.

[Nikita]

I agree with luckylucy. There are kids with metabolic disorders that even mean you have to lock the fridge as they cant stop eating. If he was left to his own devices, maybe he would eat continuously like that, and as I'm sure he isnt allowed to pig out whenever he wants, he has to satisfy his urges in other ways... looking at pictures of food, sneaking food into his room and hiding it, drawing food.
I do not think it is normal to draw food. Boys tend to draw cars, motorbikes, the hulk, even aliens and monsters, but not out of food...
He is a very talented artist!!! But I didnt find his drawing remotely delicious! I would definitely seek a paediatrician's input.
I would also set up a hidden camera fixed on the fridge or pantry area, and see if he is sneaking food you arent aware of,or even eating in his sleep... some people consume vast amounts in their sleep, and put on weight without knowing why.

[KL]

On the brighter side, that is a REALLY good drawing!!! And looks like he's really applying his imagination in a very creative way! Imagination and creativity skills like that are often seen in geniuses!

I would say that until you talk to a professional about it (one that you trust), then don't get overly concerned about it.  Like Kappasweet said, he may be 'quirky', but that doesn't necessarily mean that there is a serious problem or that he's abnormal.

Having said that, do see a reliable professional about it soon though.

[octaviaorca]

oh KL, thanks for saying that!  i thought i was the only one who was amazed!  ZS please tell how old your child is.  the detail, the depth... coming from a design background i am impressed.  i hope for your sake that you are able to work out if there is an issue.  could there just be a great sense of humor??  i wish you the best for you.

[Zach Sutton]

Thank you all very much for your support and advice on this matter.
It really is refreshing in this day in age to find informed and educated people willing to help a stranger.

In answer to your questions.
David Is a large boy. he is VERY particular with his food choice. by that I mean type of food (defiantly not amount, defiantly not!)
when he was younger he ripped open a bag of puppy chow and actually ate so much that he passed out. I was obviously horrified.
when he finally regained consciousness his first word was "hungry!".
It was a family joke for a while. You know, truth be told, large children are very cute. sometimes down-right hilarious. but I am starting to worry that it may be unhealthy.

the fascination with the "meat Beasts" as he incessantly calls them is frankly the last straw. His brother Chris is the model child. he is the captain of our football team and is very strong. would you believe that I sometimes have to ask Chris to help me lift David in and out of the bath tub. (lately he has been refusing to do anything without being rewarded. much like when training a dog.)

he has crafted some new beasts. I will upload the ghastly images if you think it might help you diagnose the issue.

I am reminded of something the pastor at my church once said to me. "children truly are one of life's biggest gifts, but sometimes we want to ask the stork if he kept the receipt."

thank you for your advice.
It is nice to just talk to someone about this without being judged. Would you believe that myself and my partner have been blamed for this issue?!. 
some people need to replace their curtains with mirrors.
one of the imbeciles that implied that we as parents are to blame has a child with a lazy eye and a wondering hand.
I do not want to go into that right now. Sorry, I am just very emotional about this issue. 

[jakim]

can you give his age?

[nhockaday]

the fascination with the "meat Beasts" as he incessantly calls them is frankly the last straw. His brother Chris is the model child. he is the captain of our football team and is very strong. would you believe that I sometimes have to ask Chris to help me lift David in and out of the bath tub. (lately he has been refusing to do anything without being rewarded. much like when training a dog.)

Please tell us how old he is. Also, from what you said above about your other child being the model child, I am worried that your "large" son may feel like he is living in his shadow. You may not intend for it to show, but kids pick up on that. If he is so good at football and strong and healthy, then you may be showing a preference to him and his actions. This may make your "large" child jealous and want to rebel. He may be trying to get your attention, a cry for help you may call it. I really think you need to seek professional help. There may be something medically wrong with him if he is so overweight. If so, you definitely want to work towards correcting the problem as soon as possible. You definitely don't want him going into adulthood being very overweight. There are so many health problems that will arise out of it. Then again, there may be nothing wrong, but someone telling you that will ease your mind.

[meandlinc]

It definitely seems like he is very imaginative, but if it seems obsessive, he may have a disorder. I am concerned about the current reliance on main-stream experts for everything, including giving kids ritalin, etc. I noticed a change in my son when I started giving him an omega-3 supplement as well as magnesium, along with his vitamins. He would just run around, not in an active way, but like he didn't fit in his own skin almost. Since toddlers are notorious for eating disorders, I supplement him and help him feed himself, so he can have more of a variety. Hard now, easier later.... There was a book I read that floored me: "He's not Autistic, But...." I am in no way saying that your son may be autistic - this book is about a family who used holistic medicine to regain health in their son. You can read the reviews on Amazon.
It's just that there is such a limited view in the medical field.... you may want to ask Dr. Mercola also (drmercola.com) - he is very knowledgeable and sooooooooooo helped me when my baby had colic and reflux - he recommended goat milk and my son is a strong, healthy kid - he changed my life. I also called a center in Utah that gave me the same info he did. Just saying, do some research on your own as well, docs today are glorified pharmacists.

[Nikita]

I have 4 kids and never have any of them eaten so much as to lose consciousness. And I dont know of anyone who would say that has happened to their child. Or to any adult I know! Eating dogfood is dangerous, as the products arent fit for human consumption. I cant believe he'd have found it delicious!!! That is worrying!! Does he eat other things that humans shouldnt eat, like washing powder, chalk, dirt, flowers...his appetite could endanger his life if he eats something poisonous. He could have PICA, a desire for a certain unusual food. I recommend that video surveillance, but not just on the NOrmal food sources.

[PY]

I wish I could help you more...for that matter I will like to know how old are your kids? So we can think further.

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